57 comments:

Sice Linder is cleaning house, he should next look at the Fire Dept. Those 2 Republican Appointees of Pileggi should be first to go. Neither EARNED the positionsthey hold, one was a good ticket seller, personal friend and snitch, the other is probaly the best BSer in the city, was appointed to every position by the Republicans from Lt. to Capt. Batt Chief, Deputy Comm and now Comm. Same guy Pileggi had run against Kirkland for State Rep. Linder better watch his back, the MOLES are all around him and he does'nt even know it. Like i said the best BSer in the City.

If you stop hatin so much, you would realize that the Commissioner had retired. He was brought back by Butler and Council because they couldn't fill the job from outside and wouldn't promote from within. Where's the logic, but in any case, Pileggi had nothing to do with that move.

Mr Moe you must be a Dem. it's obvious you don't know how the Republican Party works. Pileggi as Mayor of Chester ran EVERYTHING, He filled Senator Bell's seat after his death and handpicked Butler to fill his as Mayor and CONTINUED to run EVERYTHING in the City of Chester....facts.

Wow! This disgruntled person forgot to mention that the Fire Commissioner was also an apprentice fire fighter and a fire fighter before he tested for promotion to Lt.,Capt.and B/C. His appointment to Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner put him on a 24/7/365 duty roster, out of the union and without overtime pay - it's called management - duh! You might also not know that way back when, he was part of the group that originated the bargaining agreement with the city so what you enjoy today as far as a contract and benefits are in part, due to his work in support of firefighters. You probably also don't know that back in the early days the paid fire fighters in the city didn't want him to sleep in the station or use their bathroom and didn't want to sit at the kitchen table to eat meals with him because he was a black man. So you just think you know, but you really don't...as far as city politics, you are also way off base with your assumptions about the players you smear and what you think you know...sometimes it's best to just be thought a fool than open your mouth and prove it...shush yourself!

Wow whoever wrote this one sure knows how they climbed the ladder to get where they are today!But they forgot one thing along the way, how to do the job they did whatever to get. It seems to me they are more interested in climbing the ladder then doing their job…. PROTECTING YOUR WORKERS & THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF CHESTERThe fire firefighters who come to work every day didn’t FORGET!!

So myopic one, you are saying that a firefighter isn't a good firefighter anymore if they pass the tests for rank promotions? Do you believe that a Captain or B/C is no longer a firefighter or capable of being a firefighter because they elevated themselves in rank? Are you saying that you are a better firefighter than the Commissioner? Are you saying that officers don't come to work their shifts? Rank levels are more than pay grade increases and uniform bling...you do know that don't you? Climbing the ladder? Isn't that part of your job? Sounds like you might be in the wrong career. But hey! if you can do a better job with the management of the Department and all the challenges of your skills and abilities that would put on you then step up and do it! Don't hide behind your words...put your ambition and expertise to the challenge and put your hat in the ring! But if you're scared than say you're scared!

No I’m saying that it seem the one who made this post is the myopic one! You said it yourself in this case the one climbing the ladder here forgot where they came from, I’m not sure they were ever there!

No, that's not was was posted - get your glasses on and take your meds...you aren't saying anything of value...you are being a rabid pit bull attacking character without cause or reason. You may opt to brush up on your facts before you jump to conclusions in print...cause you don't know then its so? City government isn't in place to bow to your wishes and demands...don't take that personally...Sounds like you have all the answers and opinions and umph behind you to step up and take the reigns in Council or on the Senate floor or in the CFD...we'll wait...tick tock tick tock...

I’m not saying anything about city government here just one department.Not sure what you are saying though?? I must have struck a chord…. I’m not sure I would like to do council or senate but I’m damn sure I could run the FD better!! Ticky tock

No, no chord struck...glad to know you have such great confidence in your management skills and abilities - might be a little different than you imagine once you get in the chair but no worries...step to it man!

Whoa Bucko! the city Councilperson in charge of the Department of Publc Safety is the Head of the Fire Department...it's a shame you don't have a better relationship with authority figures...and that seat usually changes hands among the council members every year...makese sense that any elected official would sleep tight knowing you were the ace who RUNS the FD...yeah see delusional and clueless!

yall crazy!! Bottom line... Pay the firefighters, they do a hell of a job and deserve everything owed to them. Linder..... your the biggest disapointment since the some idiot emailed the answers to the Act 180 updates!!!

Can someone answer the question as to WHY the President of Upland Council was hired as Chester Assistant City Planner? Are there no qualified individuals in the city without this obvious conflict? I'm sure all of us reading this that are from Chester know that one of "us" would never be hired to work in Upland Borough. I'm just calling it like I see it.

The the anonymous that says that I must be a Democrat..........could be true, but it doesn't have anything to do with the Commisssioner and his job. The test was given to those that wished to take it, it was graded, and the best man got the job. At one point, nobody wanted the deputy Commissioner job let alone the Commissioner job, so guess who......yep J. Johnson.....but you doesn't have to call him Johnson. You must be one of those that took the test for Fire fighter and failed.........O well

and then can we see how much it cost Local 1400 to fight the city? You had full support and exemption under the former administration...why wait until the newly elected city officials take office to nail the taxpayers?

That statement my Mr. Mayor Linder "My campaign was run on creating jobs for city residents, not distributing city jobs to residents" is what's known as antimetabole, and it's been cropping up in speeches by politicians both Republicans and Democrates.It is a rhetorical device in which words are repeated in transposed order, as with Churchill's famous line: "Let us preach what we practice-let us practice what we preach." Bill Clinton said: "People the world over have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power." So, Mayor Linder is following the examples of other politicians. Watch your back Mayor sound like you are not expecting a second term. Remmember, if a politician only serve one term he is not consider to be a success. Just saying!! LW

Sob..OMG! Stop!!! then go work somewhere else...CFD firefighters were all provided Fire I and II certifications paid for with a FEMA AFG grant that the Commissioner worked hard to get for you...did any of you help out with that process? No, didn't think so...and then we find the Department couldn't provide the Officer Training component of the original grant request because of the demand that you MUST be paid overtime to attend the courses so the almighty OT ate up those allocated federal grant dollars...since that great debacle, new hires have their certifications paid for by the city to keep up professional standards of the Department. The CFD has more now than they ever did and instead of being appreciative or grateful or responsible, you whine and complain and cry about what you don't got..you have an unprecidented 10 year guaranteed increase contract, complete with all the me-too's and gimme mores and more paid time off and bells and whistles and woohoos and you are still sitting around with low morale...Really? I'm sure there are lots of FD's across the country that would find you to be a valuable asset...LIFE IS SHORT so don't be miserable stuck in the horrible Chester FD with the intolerable working conditions...look on the bright side - you all don't have to live here in awful nasty Chester anymore! Yay! Seriously, if it's so bad there just get out of the way and maybe some new intersted enthusiastic ff's who WANT to be part of the community can find a good paying future in a rewarding public service career...look around - lots of people are out of work and scraping to get by these days that would love to have a job and be in your boots and be damn proud to be a Chester Fire Fighter...Go! Be Free! Bye!

I hear the Chester fire department doesn’t need a TRAINING OFFICE according to testimony at an GRIEVANCE ARBORTRATION hearing the union filed for BECAUES THEY FELT THE NEED FOR A TRAINING OFFICER and for training at all and from what I understand a training officer was always had in the fire department until this fire commissioner climbed the ladder to the top and took over??? As far as firefighting 1 & 2?? “Somebody should look into the miss appropriation of funds after that fiasco”! To this day the fire department still has no training or training officer!!! *WOW*This Commissioner does not want training in his fire department for the simple reason he may be showed up by one of his men! (that looking into the mirror thing again)The better you are trained the better the service!!Do you feel training is important???

More trash talk...more unfounded innuendo...the Union wanted an Admin B/C in trade off for a Training Officer...side bar agreement with the solicitors office wasn't it? now I know who is writing this garbage! Of course training is important...but you have to have an interest in bettering yourself to get the full value of training that will cost the taxpayers dollars. Doesn't seem to be the case in the Department anymore...public service to the City isn't in the contract!

Even though fire department morale is at an all time low they still do the their jobs to the best of their ability. Try and find any other department in the City of Chester that you can call and someone will be at your door in 3 minutes or less. These men come in everyday and put their lives on the line for the city and its residents only to be treated constantly by the fire commissioner and the city officials like illegitimate or red headed step children. Its a shame after all the years of trying to work with the city and commissioner, giving concessions, they cant get what they have had to fight to win. its a dam shame that more city residents don't pay attention to what city council is doing because this is the same politics as usual.

Dan, what about the fact that your commish, is in bed with a known fraud? What about the fact that there are ties to said known fraud that is being ignored? Are you also a fraud? The folks of Chester need to take a good hard look at who they have "Watching the gates" of your city.

Fire and PD both do atremendouse job. But the city has been fighting the firefighters on EVERYTHING, including Raises owed from 08,09,10,11, and now 12. Instead they went out and got the best Law firm money could buy. Ballard Sparh is the name and they are going to cost the city a pretty penny. Little does Linder know.. Ballard sparh been costing the city of Scranton MILLIONS (20 million just in one case alone) cause of them fighting the FD and PD in Scranton, and guess who's been beating them... The same Lawyer the CFD and CPD has... Linder the firefighters had your back... And it took you your first week in office to lose it. Mr. Roots why not do a investigative report on how much money the 3+ law firms these idiots have hired to fight a losing battle agaist the FD. Its CASE LAW LINDER, ACT 111 is a bitch aint it!

If the city would get rid of the fence jumping Johnson (guess the Dems forgot he was a diehard Republican) the morale would inmprove and so would the city's bank account. This guy has cost the city taxpayers a ton of money. No wonder he wants the "Bad Faith" language out of the award.

You are confused...understand it was a request for language that would require Local 1400 to adhere to the terms and conditions of their own contract and bargain in good faith with the city. Every question isn't a grievance and every issue doesn't need to go to arbitration...sounds like the direct run around tunnel to the solicitors office got shut down when the newly elected administration arrived at city hall...now who is it that is costing the city tax dollars?

No you are confused! The language in the FD contract is pretty clear! You just don’t understand it. Because it doesn’t say what you want it to say. You are right about one thing all issues don’t need to go to arbitration BUT because of the above they do!!It seems that the only question here is the ability to lead?? Whoever wrote this you must look in the mirror a whole lot and say to yourself I’m the best I’m the best at everything at everything!!!

So you are posting in writing that all the members have always followed the terms and conditions of the contract AND bargained in good faith with the city? Are you posting that you are deprived and abused and disenchanted with your chosen career? This talk of the evil Johnson is just part of the manipulative childish irreponsible nonsense that keeps the morale and the troops under the gun....This writer isn't obsessed with perfection or being the best at anything...Leadership isn't only for union members...I'm only a truth seeker...so let's have it...tell the truth for a change!

Hum Disenchanted, deprived are we talking about the fire service or is this a fairy tale?Please take your head out of fairy land and do some research before you write your story (fairy tale)It is quite clear you know nothing about public safety nor do you know anything about firefighting! It seems to me you have been blinded by something or someone!

Looks like this blog should have been about the firefighters and Commissioner Johnson. All this screaming about raises. hell from understanding these firefighters dont do too much in the community and they get paid good money. They just like an insurance policy, not working til you need them. How bout some of them posting their salary for us tax payers to see and not to mention their addresses. Get out in your community and do something not just when a fire call comes in. Making good money to sit behind those fire dept doors where nobody cant see whats actually going on. So the fire dept is at a low morale rate now, why because they cant get what they want??? Everybody hollering about the people salary downtown just think if we knew what the firefighters salary were we we raise a stink too.. It's all politics. I dont knock that when there's a fire they are there but hey thats their job, Right. Both the police and the fire are community service jobs and they are good at what they do.. So whats the solution?

Check out the blog on Bail becoming Commissioner. There appears to be some interesting insight into the Police Departments new "international intelligence"unit. What the heck is going on? And Chester PD needs such a unit, why? People should be asking questions.

How about the fire Commish who makes 105,000+ a year as a private contractor!!! How about a "assistant fire marshall" who has no credentials and makes 85,000+ a year to do NOTHING! A firefighter in the city of Chester put their lifes on the line for 43-45,000 a year(mayor makes more then that). Yes if ya look at the year end salaries it looks like they are making 65-80,000 a year BECAUSE OF OVERTIME! Caused by THE CITY NOT HIRING! Their is currently 12 personal protecting the city every hour of the day. They operate 2 engines and 1 ladder and 1 Battalion chief a shift. The City has not given the members their court ordered raise since 2007! EVERYONE in the city had gotten a raise every year since 2007 BUT the firefighters!!! Now the city had a bill of nearly 2million dollars in retro pay to the men of the FD.

It's not the Commisssioner's fault that he makes that kind of money. The city knew 5 years ahead of time that he was going to retire, that gave the city 5 years to look for a replacement or promote within the ranks. As you can see, they did not do that. So 105,000/yr as a a contractor, no red blooded american would turn that down. Johnson only did what any of you would have done. what the city needs to do is honor the FD's contracts, and court order and pay the fire fighters whats owed to them. If you want them to do more for their money, treat them the way they should be treated, and maybe they will go the mile for you. You bad mouth the fire Dept , but you'll be glad to see them if you need them..........do the right thing Chester

That's just not so...where do you get these venomous untrue facts from to poison peoples minds? B/C's and Captains and a couple of firefighters get paid thousands of dollars more each year than the Commissioner earns. Put it out there like you are proud of your accomplishments...you work two day shifts and two night shifts and four days off with all sorts of extras to pump up the paycheck...He's 24/7/365 with no overtime...do the math...how many days are you on scheduled duty during the year? Publish the new contract and be honest with the people in the city for a change. Stop with your hate already!

24/7/365? Really? Call headquarters Monday through Friday 9-4 except holidays if you want to reach a live person. Holidays and weekends? Forget it. The real 24/7/365 are the ones riding the firetrucks. As for making more than the Commissioner? Again, Really? Anyone making more than the Commissioner HAS to be working at least two or three overtime shifts a week, every week of the year, on top of their original 48 hours in four days, to earn that much. The Commissioners salary is based on a 40 hour week, Monday through Friday. The firefighters making anywhere close to that are spending an extra 20 - 42 or even more hours a week on top of their original 48 hours at the firehouse. So while some may make great money in overtime, there is a HUGE sacrifice to their family life. Lastly, unless every firefighter comes to work every shift and never takes off for vacation, personal time, sickness, or injury, there will ALWAYS be overtime. The shifts are right at their MINIMUM staffing so as soon as someone takes off there is overtime. If the city HIRED more firefighters there would not be as much overtime. Not everyone takes overtime and some take it all, so that's why you get some guys making the same as the Commissioner at the end of the year. So if you want to be jealous of a guy who spent three times as many hours at work as you did to get the same amount of money, then I guess that's your perrogitive.

I hope the situation works its way out, but I think that anyone asking a firefighter to list his salary, and get out in the community to be known is kind of oxymoronic when yu sign your post " Anonymous"

As a born and raised City resident I have the up most respect and honor for the men of the fire department. I to once didn’t care much about or really think about them until I needed their help. Being a city resident I can tell you that this is the only service you can call in the City of Chester and get someone at your door immediately. Ever try calling for heavy trash, or any other problem you may need city help with? Good luck getting anyone to show up even the same day let alone in minutes. Ever try calling for the Police Department? You may or may not get an officer in a few hours depending on the call. Like someone said in an earlier post the fire department is like an “insurance policy”, but when you need them they are on the way. Everyone forgets about 9/11 already, at anytime these men can come into work and not be going home at the end of the day. I support the men of the Fire Department and think they deserve everything they are entitled to. I’m sure anyone that has ever needed them or may need them in the future will feel the same way.

To: AnonymousFeb 29, 2012 10:33 AMTrying to make sense of your thoughts here... you first write this "sentence":"hell from understanding these firefighters dont do too much in the community and they get paid good money."

Then you finish up with this:

"Both the police and the fire are community service jobs and they are good at what they do.."

I think its pretty funny how all these post are being made here and in the Bail post! Maybe there is really something wrong with their skills. All these people speaking out must mean something? To me these two departments are pretty important parts of the city and we all know what city governments exist for to keep its citizens Safe!

Simple, James Johnson qualifications. For those complaining constantly, let's disclosed your income with the overtime, let's review all the disability cases and the residency requirements, not meaning your POBOX, but let's follow you home... Yes, I agree the city will have to pay according to the existing contract, as a bargaining unit an existing contract is enforced until a new one is signed. Blah… Blah… and PFF, some of the GED’s you got can’t be found at the state education reporting agency. WOW, now you know why Jimmy is still your BOSSSSS….

5/2/2012What is a firefighter worth?There has been so much talk recently about things like containing costs, lowering taxes, and those who work in public safety being overpaid - particularly firefighters - that it could make your head spin. We've all done the "simple math," crunched the numbers, and it all seems to boil down to a simple question. What are firefighters worth?

I guess that depends. We live in a country that seems to have forgotten what our priorities are. A man can be a skilled athlete who happens to throw and catch a football well, and make millions and millions of dollars to do so. And we as a society are not only OK with that, but we gather in front of our televisions and cheer that man on. Meanwhile, a firefighter kisses his children goodbye before every shift knowing the harsh reality that it very well could be the last time he will see them, and he is fighting tooth and nail for decent health coverage and substantial pay to support those children.

He is the man that you call when your elderly father has a stroke. He is the person that will extract your 16-year-old son from a mangled vehicle on the highway in the middle of the night. He is the person that will be there in a heartbeat when your newborn infant stops breathing. He is the person who is exposed to countless dangerous scenarios and has seen horrific things during his career that would psychologically haunt most of us for the rest of our lives. We trust him to save our homes and belongings in the event of a disastrous fire, and we trust him to keep us breathing and our hearts beating when we face our most critical moments. What is he worth to you?

He sometimes will go days without sleep, and make life altering decisions on every call he shows up to. He has missed family meals, bedtime stories, Christmas mornings, school plays, anniversaries, Thanksgiving dinners, and his own children's birthdays. We all know that life is so very short, and firefighters sacrifice precious time with the most important people in their lives to save the lives of the most important people in yours. And now they have to defend and protect their pensions, well deserved health benefits, and their paychecks. It has been proposed by some that they lose many of their benefits, and work extra shifts that they will not be compensated for. There seems to be a serious misconception that firefighters are in it for the monetary gain, and more and more often have been portrayed in a negative light for actually expecting to be compensated for the sacrifices that they make to do their job. For an individual that has chosen this selfless career, it begs the question: Is it worth it?

Most of us are willing to pay a little extra for something if it is important to us,¬äwhether it be the shoes we wear, the doctor we choose to treat us, or even the cup of coffee we drink. It is something that we value, therefore it is worth the cost. Most would agree that our safety and protection is of unmeasurable value. Those of us that are skilled in math may look at the numbers and think that stripping those who serve our public of their way to earn a decent living is an answer to a financial equation. But firefighters and their families are not numbers on a piece of paper. They are human beings that are doing their jobs every day to the best of their ability, and possibly sacrificing their own lives for the life of a stranger. Not many of us in our right mind would do that for free, and no one should have to.

So before making our minds up that firefighters are the financial problem, sit down with a local firefighter and ask him about his job. Ask him about his wife and his sons or daughters, what kind of house he lives in, and what type of car he drives. And then ask yourself, if you were to take on such a career, what would you expect in return?

I did reply but it's not here. This last week, Blogger has been doing funky stuff with comments that I have no control over.

I said something like...I admire all fire fighters for their courage and bravery. Even more amazing to me is all the people who volunteer to be firefighters. We cant even find volunteers to pick up trash in front of their house.